EU Nitrates Directive, from theory to practice: Environmental effectiveness and influence of regional governance on its performance

Despite the European Nitrate Directive (ND) being issued almost 30 years ago, groundwater nitrate contamination is still a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. In one of the areas most affected by nitrates, the Lombardy Plain (Italy), the effectiveness of the ND and the capacity of governa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambio 2020-02, Vol.49 (2), p.504-516
Main Authors: Musacchio, Arianna, Re, Viviana, Mas-Pla, Josep, Sacchi, Elisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Aquifers
Atmospheric Sciences
Contamination
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecology
Ecosystem
Ecosystems
Environment
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Environmental Management
Environmental Monitoring
Environmental protection
Environmental regulations
Farmers
Geology
Governance
Groundwater
Humans
Hydrogeology
Italy
Network analysis
Nitrates
Physical Geography
Regions
Relocation
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Trends
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water quality
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Summary:Despite the European Nitrate Directive (ND) being issued almost 30 years ago, groundwater nitrate contamination is still a serious threat to ecosystems and human health. In one of the areas most affected by nitrates, the Lombardy Plain (Italy), the effectiveness of the ND and the capacity of governance to support its application correctly was assessed using a socio-hydrogeological approach. Nitrate trends over 11 years show that most regions present steady or increasing concentrations, highlighting how contamination can affect previously impaired situations and supposedly resistant and resilient aquifers. Stakeholder network analysis reveals that the governance framework does not support knowledge dissemination and changes in farmers’ attitudes, hindering water quality improvements. Nitrogen input needs to be reduced and manure relocation monitored. The local governance scale has a key role in enhancing ND dissemination. Reports to the EU Commission should integrate multi- or interdisciplinary evaluation of trends, including governance dynamics, alongside hydrochemical information.
ISSN:0044-7447
1654-7209
DOI:10.1007/s13280-019-01197-8